The carpal tunnel is a space near the wrist and palm where 9 tendons and the median nerve make a narrow passage under a tight band of tissue, the transverse carpal ligament. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the tendons swell so much in the tight space that they put pressure on the nerve. Everyday use of the hands and certain positions of the wrist during daytime and nighttime, in certain instances, may be the only cause.

MEDICAL HISTORY

Patients usually complain of pain, numbness, and tingling that begins in the wrist region and travels out to the fingertips of the thumb, index, long, and ring fingers. The symptoms are often worse in the middle of the night causing waking or in the morning. Driving, fixing one's hair and time at the computer are other problem activities. When severe patients may even lose coordination and drop things.

EXAMINATION

Pressure applied over the nerve at the wrist will recreate the pain, numbness, and tingling. The doctor will measure strength in the muscles (motor) and feeling ability (sensory) in the skin for specific areas serviced by the median nerve. In more advanced conditions, patients will demonstrate loss of motor and sensory functions.

Despite what you may hear, Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR) is not a new procedure, nor was it developed here in Houston. It was originally developed in 1987 by Dr. James Chow, MD, a highly respected hand surgeon in Illinois. Although some surgeons try to make this procedure seem unique by giving it a special name, it is still just a carpal tunnel release using a fiber-optic camera called an endoscope.

The correct (and fully inclusive) procedure code (CPT) used to bill an endoscopic tunnel release is 29848. As of 4/5/2013 our usual and customary fee for this procedure is $1,053.78. Please call for an up to date price. This fee does change frequently and most insurance companies and government payors such as Medicare either negotiate or legislate a discount for themselves.

Patients should be aware of several small but important differences among the various ways to view the inside of the carpal tunnel with an endoscope while cutting or “releasing” the carpal ligament with a blade. Perhaps the most important difference has to do with safety. In procedures where the surgeon operates the camera and the blade separately through two incisions, it is an unfortunate complication when the median nerve is accidentally cut.

The ECTR equipment Dr. Henry uses was developed by Dr. John Agee, MD, a hand surgeon in California. The design affixes the camera on the retractable blade at all times, which allows the surgeon to see exactly where, and what, the blade will cut. The endoscope and blade assembly all work together as a unit inserted through a single 1cm incision, with the blade retracted in the default position, and thus unable to inadvertently cut anything (like a nerve or tendon) until the surgeon chooses to deploy the blade. We believe this is the safest method for ECTR.

After the surgery no splints are used and there are no sutures that will need to be removed. Immediate use of the hand is encouraged for all light activities of daily living. Even forceful or heavy use of the hand is possible immediately, but such early over activity will be painful and is not encouraged. Specific therapy exercises should be done to limit scarring around the nerve. Return to a normal lifestyle is quite rapid.

Dr. Henry and his staff are phenomenal. Dr. Henry has a gift for not only treating health issues extremely effectively, but he is extremely thorough and very efficient at communication and explaining everything he is doing and all of clearly outlining your options for future procedures. -
05/11/18

With the severity of my injury I am amazed at how functional my wrist is with the amazing team work shown at the office. From the very start the service and care have been outstanding!! I can't thank everyone enough! -
02/23/18

Fantastic. Very helpful and considerate staff and manner. Very much appreciated. Fully recommend in for the future. Thanks, Andrew -
09/19/18

very confortable,Dr. Henrry very professional and very friendly staff -
12/05/17

Great job your staff is the best,thank you &GOD Bless all of you! -
06/15/18

Dr. Henry and his staff are amazing! I was able to get an urgent new patient appointment immediately with surgery that same afternoon. Dr. Henry does an excellent and thorough job explaining my injury and the healing process. Very impressed with his plan of early mobility and physical therapy, which helped restore my function back to normal within 8 weeks of surgery. I would 100% recommend Dr. Henry and his staff! Very pleased and grateful for his help. -
03/23/18

Dr. Henry was very informative about the treatment and staff was pleasant. -
01/11/18

I appreciate the expertise and experience of Dr. Henry!!! I know I had the BEST hand surgeon!!!
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05/02/18

Awesome staff. -
09/25/18

MD was very thorough and spent a good amount of time with the patient (me). MD had good bedside manners which you do not see from a lot of doctors nowadays. He also made sure everything was understood and that I was given a chance to ask questions or address any concerns I had. Everyone was courteous and professional. Thank you for making mu visit a pleasant one. -
05/02/18

I was very impressed with how I was treated by the doctor as well as the Medical assistant. All my questioned were answered and I was treated with care and respect. Luis was Awesome! Doctor Henry was very informative. I will recommend him to friends and family -
06/09/17

The staff and the Dr. are very helpful and understanding .I have not yet seen a better staff like this office . I will recommend any one here . -
11/06/17

I couldn't be more pleased with the level of service I received while in Dr. Henry's care. The level of detail in which my injury was explained and resolved, and the level of competency that was displayed throughout the healing was truly outstanding. -
01/30/18

Great experience on every visit. Doctor Henry's work is fantastic and his explanations are thorough. I recommend him highly whenever the opportunity presents. -
09/26/18

David, Luis and the staff were so helpful and answered all my questions. Highly recommend the facility for any hand surgeries. -
09/27/18

The doctor and staff are the best I have ever had. Very professionalism at its best. -
11/15/17

thank you -
10/16/17

Thank you all very much, Everyone was kind and helpful. Dr. Henry did excellent in always explaining the process of the care as well as the injury itself. -
12/14/18

Dr. Henry was great, explained my situation and options to me very well and recommended the best option for me. I appreciated his understanding of my situation and feelings, and offering the best solution for me, very much -
12/14/18

I appreciated everyone being friendly and professional and quick and competent at what they do. Dr Henry is straightforward and clear with no extra b/s and I was quite pleased with that. -
09/20/18

The staffs here was GREAT!!!! -
06/21/17

Great Doctor and staff. Luis is a wonderful asset to the staff -
12/18/17

I am really happy with my experience. I always knew what was going on and over time got to know the staff based on how many times I've been here. Most importantly, I feel I got the right treatment for my injury. -
10/19/17

best place for treatment of hand and wrist problems. Dr. Henry was recommended to me by a friend who is a medical care professional. -
10/06/17

every thing was really great -
10/19/17

every body was excelent -
01/09/18

Very efficient practice -
10/19/17

Great doctor and good staff -
10/10/18

The staff is nice and everyone is up on the treatment. I feel confident that I am getting the best care and am glad I came here. -
10/30/17

Visit was pleasant and went smoothly. No complaints. Outstanding service. -
09/14/18